Where God's Word Meets Our Mess
I don't know if you're a control freak like me, but I do know that trying to be in control is exhausting—because it's actually impossible. The outcome may or may not be good if you manipulate the situation to get what you want, but the outcome will be good if you choose to let God have control of the situation.
College was a crazy season of life, and I can’t believe that it’s over now. Even though I won’t miss the research papers or class presentations, I’ll definitely miss the feeling of community. As a recent grad, I feel like there are so many things that I could tell you about college—not because I know it all but because I made so many mistakes during college that I don’t want you to make! I asked some of my recently graduated friends to share their thoughts as recent college grads, and these are the things that they wanted you to know.
I'm the girl who's sat in a noisy coffee shop as she's plunked the keys on her keyboard, stared at the couples surrounding her, and lost the motivation she thought she had. I'm the girl who's reached out to multiple literary agents and been rejected or ignored by all of them. I'm the girl who's made approximately $60 as an unknown writer for a single Christian magazine. In short, I'm the girl who wanted to be an author but isn't an author.
Sean, I can’t waste any more years expecting something to happen between us. Nothing ever did, and nothing ever will. I’ve wanted you to be my boyfriend for years. Your smile, friendliness, and confidence (and handsomeness, duh) are incredibly attractive qualities. You're everything that I could ever want. But I can’t keep waiting for you to notice me. I know I have to move on. I’m mostly hopeful that the future is bright…for both of us. Here are a few things that you should know before we part ways.
So I have this problem—a problem of pointless pursuits. Pointless pursuits have kind of been the theme of my life, at least in the last few years. I haven’t pursued empty things because people failed to warn me about the consequences. Ignorance wasn’t the issue. My stubbornness was.
But one thing hasn’t changed in five years: I still want to be a writer. And honestly, there's enormous hidden pressure on me to get a book deal, see my name on the front cover, and be famous. This pressure doesn’t come from my parents, sisters, or friends. It comes from my Try-Harder Self—and she’s the dogmatic, degrading, and demanding type.
Did I wish that I'd had a guy to sit next to during the fancy meal? Did I feel a little awkward as I danced beside my girlfriends during the slow dance? Did I think about the handsome guy on the dancefloor who was dancing oh-so-closely with his girlfriend? Yes, yes, and yes. But I survived, and you can survive, too. I truly believe that you can still enjoy your life, even without Prince Charming next to you.
I quickly realized a trend in my office. Employees often asked to speak with the other people in my office, but they never asked to speak with me. And sometimes I just wanted someone to want me.
God has good in store for you, dear friend. If it is God’s will, Prince Charming will come. Yes, the wait is long and exhausting. But we can never believe that lie that God is holding out on us.
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 